Scotland go into their European Championship's qualifying campaign full of confidence under new coach Gordon Strachan - especially after the start they have had to life under the former Southampton and Celtic boss.

Strachan took over his nation from Craig Levein in January 2013. Since then he has changed the way the team plays and results have improved as a consequence. They have not lost in six games including impressive wins against Croatia and Poland and draws against World Cup sides the USA and Nigeria.

But their next opponents are the world champions. Strachan takes his Tartan Army to face Germany at the Signal-Iduna Park in Dortmund on Monday, in a game the home side are widely expected to win.

However, given Scotland's form and Germany's recent loss to World Cup runners-up Argentina in a friendly there is hope that the Scots might be able to pull off a shock. And Germany manager Joachim Low is not taking anything for granted. He has spoken about the danger Scotland pose - and earmarked four players who will be a real danger for his team:

"Scotland have had no problems in their preparations. They have a British mentality but they don't play with a British style these days. They try to play good football but are still very well organised.

"They have good players like Steven Naismith, Shaun Maloney and Ikechi Anya. Darren Fletcher is their best-known player playing for Manchester United. He is also the most experienced player. They will be motivated, physical and they will run a lot and they are also very good in one-on-one [situations]. They have won twice against Croatia and drew against the USA and Nigeria and so we know they are a very good team. It will be a difficult match for us."

Naismith has been in great form for Everton over the past 18 months, and his performance could shape the outcome of this game. Fletcher has renewed himself at Manchester united recently. New United coach Louis van Gaal is a big fan of the midfielder and recently handed him the united vice-captaincy.

But the fact he is highlighting the threat of two Championship players in Maloney of Wigan Athletic and Anya of Watford certainly suggests he has done his research.

So who knows? if the pace of the Watford man, skill of the Wigan star and nous of the Everton workhorse - all brought together by the experience of the United stalwart - can shine, who is to say Scotland cannot overcome Germany next week.

Mathew Nash

I’m Mathew Nash a 27 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.Mathew is a correspondent for the NextGen Series, Ligue 1 and Primeira Liga.